Can I Report an Accident to the Police a Few Days After It Happened?

The accident was a blur. In the moments after the crash, you were shaken up, maybe you thought the damage was minor, or the other driver convinced you that involving the police wasn’t necessary. You exchanged information and drove away. But now, a few days later, the reality of the situation is setting in. Your neck is starting to ache, you’ve discovered a deep scratch on your car door you missed at the scene, or the other driver is suddenly not answering your calls.

A wave of regret washes over you as you ask yourself a critical question: Is it too late to report the accident to the police?

The simple answer is yes, you absolutely can and should report an accident after the fact. While reporting immediately from the scene is always the best-case scenario, filing a late report is infinitely better than having no official record at all. It is a necessary step to protect yourself, especially if you now realize you are injured or that the other driver is being uncooperative. This guide will walk you through why it’s important and how to do it in Washington State.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Yes, You Can File a Late Report: It is not too late. Filing a late report is crucial if you discover injuries or if the other driver’s story changes.
• Why It’s Important: A police report is the key piece of official documentation for your insurance claim. Without it, proving the accident even happened can be difficult.
  
   
• How to File in Washington: You can file a “Vehicle Collision Report” yourself online with the Washington State Patrol if a law enforcement officer did not investigate at the scene.
  
   
• Be Prepared with Information: You will need all the information you collected at the scene, including the other driver’s details, the location, date, and time of the crash.
• Potential Downsides: A late report will lack the on-scene observations of an officer (like witness statements or their assessment of the scene), but it is still vital evidence.

Why Filing a Late Report is Crucial

Even if a few days have passed, filing a report is a critical step for several reasons:

1. It Creates an Official Record: This is the most important reason. A police report number is the first thing an insurance company will ask for when you file a claim. It is official proof that the accident occurred. Without it, you are in a difficult “he said, she said” situation.
2. It Documents Your Injuries: If you started feeling pain a day or two after the crash (a very common occurrence with injuries like whiplash), the police report documents the incident that caused the injury. This link is essential for your medical claims.
3. It Protects You from Fraud: If the other driver changes their story, accuses you of causing more damage, or denies the accident entirely, your official report is a powerful countermeasure.

How to File a Late Accident Report in Washington State

If a police officer did not respond to the scene of your accident, Washington State law requires you to complete a Vehicle Collision Report yourself under certain circumstances (if there was an injury or significant property damage). Here is the general process:

1. Gather Your Information: Before you begin, collect all the details you have from the accident, including:

• The date, time, and specific location of the crash.
• The other driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
• A description of their vehicle and their license plate number.
• Any photos you took of the scene and the damage.
• A written summary of how the accident happened.

2. File the Report Online: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) manages the state’s collision records. You can file your report online through their portal. This report is officially known as a “State of Washington Vehicle Collision Report.” You will be asked to fill in all the details you gathered and provide your narrative of the events.

3. Inform Your Insurance Company: Once you have filed the report, get the official report number and provide it to your insurance company. Let them know you filed it after the fact and explain the circumstances.

What Are the Challenges of a Late Report?

It’s important to be realistic. A report filed days after an accident is helpful, but it’s not the same as one created by an officer at the scene. The primary difference is the lack of an impartial, on-the-ground investigation. The report will be based solely on your account of what happened. It won’t include:

• An officer’s diagram of the scene.
• On-scene witness statements.
• Any traffic citations issued to the at-fault driver.

Despite these limitations, an official, self-filed report is an essential piece of evidence that gives your insurance claim legitimacy.

If you didn’t report your accident at the scene and are now facing challenges with the insurance company or have discovered an injury, getting professional guidance is your best next step. An experienced attorney can help you properly file a late report and use it effectively in your claim. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma to find a trusted local professional who can help you protect your rights, no matter when your accident was reported.

References

• Washington State Patrol – File a Collision Report: The official WSP page with information and links to the online portal for citizens to file their own Vehicle Collision Report.
  
   

  https://www.wsp.wa.gov/driver/file-a-collision-report/

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW 46.52.030) – Accident reports: The official state law that outlines a driver’s legal duty to file a collision report if an officer does not investigate at the scene and certain damage/injury thresholds are met.
  
   

  https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.52.030